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T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells are a new subset of regulatory T (T reg) cells localized in the germinal center to limit the humoral response. Until now, the physiological function of Tfr cells has been largely unknown. In this study, we developed a Bcl6fl/flFoxp3Cre mouse to analyze the function of Tfr cells in immune and autoimmune responses. These mice exhibited enhanced immunity to influenza virus; moreover, Bcl6fl/flFoxp3Cre/Cre mice developed late-onset spontaneous autoimmune diseases, affecting the salivary glands with lymphocyte infiltration and antibody deposition. In a mouse experimental Sjögren’s syndrome model, ablation of Bcl6 in T reg cells greatly enhanced disease development. Conversely, Bcl6fl/flCd4Cre mice were protected in the model. Thus, our study indicates that Tfr cells control autoimmune diseases and can be targeted in infectious and autoimmune disease.
Fu et al. (2018) studied this question.